Ironing board table top



Aug. 31, 1954 STRQM r 2,687,587

IRONING BOARD TABLE TOP Filed July 25. 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS ERNEST JTROM BY GLEN/v MOL so (ZQQQQM H res/vs Yr Aug 31, 1954 Filed July 23. 1949 E. STROM ETAL IRONING BOARD TABLE TOP 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS ERNEST ST'ROM G1. 51w M oL-SON f e, Q W

ATTORNEYS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 F/cs. 8

Aug. 31, 1954 Filed July 23, 1949 INVENTORS ERNEsTSTRoM GLHVN MOLso/v.

ATToENEYJ Patented Aug. 31, 1954 UNITED STATES ATENT' OFFICE Ernest Strum, andv Glenn V. Olson, St. Paul, Min-11.;

said Strum assignor to said Olson, doing business as Specialty Engineering Company Application J my 23, 1949, Serial N '0. 106,358

2- Claims. 1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in ironing tables and more particularly to an all-metal ironing table.

An important object of the present invention resides in the novel construction of the top of the table, which comprises a thin sheet-like panel having an annular frame member encircling the entire circumference thereof to provide a very sturdy, well reinforcedtop which is void of rough edges, whereby the ironing table may readily and conveniently be handled in the operation of setting up the ironing table or taking it down.

A further object is to provide an ironing table comprising a top panel preferably made of expanded metal having a channel member secured to; the marginal edge thereof, said channel member being formed from sheet metal and preferably extending around the. entire circumferencev of the table top and being suttably secured thereto whereby the channel member cannot become detachedi from the. top. panel;

A further object. resides in the unique construction of the table supporting means which presents the utmost in simplicity, whereby it may be manufactured at low cost, and the various members thereof being so interconnected that when the table is set up for use, the ironing: table top will have a very sturdy and ruggedsupport which is locked in operative position to enable the table to: be readily moved from one place to another while in operative position, and the supporting structure being such that it. may readily be manipulated to release its loch whereby its supporting legs may quickly be folded into flatwise relation against the bottom of the table top.

A further object of the invention resides in the novel method of forming the top of the ironing table which comprises a perforated metallic blank ofmetal having a single frame member encircling it and formed with an inwardly facing groove or recess adapted to receive the marginal edge portion of the panel, and the opposed: ends of said frame member being brought together in abutting relation at one endof saidblank'to completely encircle it and whereby the edge of the blank is concealed.

A further and more specific object of the invention resides in the construction of the ironing table top which comprises a single blank, preferably of expanded material having a frame member surrounding it to reinforce the blank and to facilitate handling the-ironing table, said frame member being formed of sheet metal toprovide an outwardly facing channel when applied tothe table, and the upperle'g of said channel member being formed with a groove adapted to receive the marginal edges of the blank after which the walls of said groove are pressed firmly into gripping engagement with the marginal edges of the panel to secure the frame thereto, and a plurality of transverse brace members being disposedbeneath the panel in supporting engagement therewith and having their opposed terminals fixedly secured to the depending portions of the annular frame member by such means as spot welding, whereby the panel, annular frame member, and said cross members cooperate to provide, in effect, an integrai structure of light weight, having great. strength and rigidity, and which will not sag when ironing pressure is imposed thereon.

Other objects of the invention reside in the specific construction of the top panel of the ironing table and the manner in which the. same is braced to provide a very rigid and: substantial table of this type upon which do perform. ironing and other kindred duties; in the construe tion of the supporting structure of the table which comprises-a minimum of parts which are so interconnected and secured to the table top that when folded into flatwise relation against the table top, the. lower ends of? the spaced supporting legs; are drawn. inwardly, as they are folded into fiatwise relation with the. table, whereby they are disposed in substantially parallel relation to the side. edges within the confines of the. table top, when. the legs are in inoperative positions; and in the provision of an all-metal ironing table which is light in weight, yet extremely" strong and rigid when set up for use.

Other objectszof the invention will appear; from the following description and the accompanying drawings and. will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out: the various. objectsof the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown, as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1' isa side elevation of the improved ironing table showing it setup ready for use;

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the l-ine"2-2 of Figure 1-, showing the means for locking the supporting structure inoperative po sition;

Figure 3 is adetail' sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a bottom view of the ironing table with the legs unfolded to support the table in operative position;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, but showing the legs folded into flatwise position against the bottom of the table, as when the table is not in use;

Figure 6 is a view showing the metallic blank for the ironing table top with the reinforcing frame member expanded to receive the blank in the operation of completing the formation of the ironing table top;

Figure 7 is a top view of the completed ironing table top showing the peripheral frame member suitably fitted to and secured to the marginal edge portions of the metallic panel, thereby to provide a very rugged and rigid ironing table top;

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 6, showing the annular frame member positioned to be pressed into engagement with the marginal edges of the top panel;

Figure 9 is a cross sectional View on the line 93 of Figure '7, showing the peripheral frame member secured to the top panel;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9, but showing the cross braces provided beneath the perforated panel to prevent sagging thereof, said cross braces having their ends suitably secured to the depending portions of the anular frame member, as will be understood by reference to Figure 10;

Figure 11 is a detail sectional view on the line H-H of Figure 12 showing the construction of the bottom of the leg 29;

Figure 12 is a detail sectional view on the line l2-l2 of Figure 11; and

Figure 13 is a detail sectional View on the line 13-13 of Figure 12.

One of the outstanding features of the present through the table top, which may be a desira' ble feature, especially when utilizing steam in the ironing or pressing operation, as is often necessary. The blank 3 constitutes the main portion of the ironing board top, and may be blanked from large sheets of perforated metal by suitable dies, whereby they may be produced in quantity production at 'very low cost.

The construction of the outer annular reinforcing frame member ll is important in that it is formed with an inwardly facing groove or recess 1 which is of substantially the same width as the thickness of the panel 2, whereby the marginal edge of the panel may be fitted snugly into said groove and be secured therein by firmly pressing the walls of the groove into gripping engagement with the edge of the panel, as will be understood by reference to Figures 6 to 9, inelusive.

To improve the appearance of the table top, and to add greater rigidity and strength thereto, the outer frame member 4 is preferably channelshaped in cross-section. It is preferably made from strip sheet metal having its opposed marginal edges shaped by suitable forming dies, as best shown in Figure 8, thereby to provide spaced legs 5 and 6. The upper leg 5 is formed with an inwardly facing groove 7 adapted to receive the marginal edges of the blank 3, as above described. If desired, the walls of the groove 1 may be spot welded to the panel to make certain the frame member 4 will be rigidly and permanently secured to the blank 3.

The lower leg 6 of the frame member 4 may have its walls pressed into engagement with one another, as shown in Figures 9, and 10, to eliminate sharp edges.

A plurality of cross braces 9, ll, I2, I3, 14, and I5, preferably of channel cross-section, are shown seated against the bottom of the panel 2 with their ends abuttingly engaging the depending portions of the annular frame member 4, as best shown in Figure 10. The ends of the cross braces are preferably secured to the frame member 4 by such means as spot welding, whereby the braces become in effect a composite part of the ironing table top, as will be understood.

The supporting structure is shown comprising a pair of opposed spaced legs 16 of similar construction having their upper ends pivotally connected to a cross member I! by suitable pivots E8. The ends of the cross member I! are shown bent to provide right angle ears 19 which are pivotally connected to the side portions of the frame member 4 of the top panel 2 by suitable pivots 2|, shown in Figure 5. Suitable reinforcing straps 22 are preferably welded to the inner surfaces of the side frame members 4 to stiffen said members at the points where the ends of the cross member H are connected. The cross member l! and legs l6 are thus mounted for rotary movement about the aligned axes of the pivots 2|, whereby the legs i6 may be swung from their inoperative position, shown in Figure 5, to their operative position shown in Figures 1 and 4.

In the construction of an ironing table of the character herein disclosed, the legs are usually so arranged that when they are unfolded to support the ironing table in its operative position, the lower ends of the legs are spread outwardly beyond the side edges of the ironing table top, thereby to provide greater stability and to minimize the danger of the table tipping over when in use.

When the legs are folded against the bottom of the board it is highly desirable that they do not project outwardly beyond the side edges of the table top, and means is therefore provided for inwardly swinging the lower ends of the legs, whereby they will be disposed well within the confines of the table top, when the legs are folded against the bottom of the top panel, as shown in Figure 5.

The supporting structure for the ironing board to constitutes the spaced legs I6, and a third floor-engaging member, generally designated by the numeral 23, including a diagonal brace 24 made from a suitable rod bent upon itself at 25 to provide spaced legs 26 having their upper ends pivotally connected to the legs It by suitable pivots 21, shown spaced downwardly a substantial distance from the pivots [8, as best illustrated in Figures 1 and 5.

The connecting portion 25 of the rods 26 is slightly elongated, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, and is rotatably received in the member 23, as shown in Figures 11 and 12. The member 23 is in the form of a U-shaped metallic clip having its legs spaced apart to receive the lower terminals of the rods 29 which cooperate to provide the center leg of the table. The terminals of the rods 29 are preferably spot welded to the clip 23, and cooperate therewith to provide a bearing 28 for pivotally supporting the lower portion 25 of the braces 24.

The upper ends of the rods 29 are shown secured to a cross member 3|, preferably of angle iron cross-section, having its end portions pivoted to the sides of the annular frame member 4 by suitable pivots 32. Reinforcing members or strips 22 are secured to the inner faces of the frame member 4 to strengthen said member at the points where the cross member 3| is pivotally connected.

When the table is set up, as shown in Figure 1, the rods 26 and 29 assume the positions shown in Figure 1. The means provided for securing the legs in operative positions is shown comprising a U-shaped member, generally designated by the numeral 33. The member 33 comprises spaced legs 34 provided at their upper ends with offset portions 35 pivoted to the legs 16 by suitable pivots 36, disposed adjacent to the pivots 27 of the upper ends of the rods 26. The opposite ends of the legs 34 are connected together by a rod section 3'! which is offset in an upward direction from the axes of the spaced legs 34, as best illustrated in Figure 3.

A bar 38 is secured to the legs 34 adjacent to the rod section 37 and is adapted to engage a spring clip 39, when the bar 38 of the member 33 is in its operative position, as shown in Figure 1, thereby to retain the member 33 in leg supporting position. When thus positioned, it will be noted the upper ends of the rods 34 of the member 33 will be seated against the lower edge of the angle iron cross member 3 I, as best shown in Figure 3, thereby to secure the legs in their operative positions, shown in Figure 1. The bar 38 may be released by manipulation of the clip 33, whereupon the member 34 may be slid downwardly on the rods 29 to fold the legs [6 into engagement with the bottom of the table, as may be clearly noted by reference to Figure 5.

The means provided for inwardly drawing the lower ends of the legs I6, when the legs are folded into inoperative positions, is shown composed of a pair of small diagonal brace rods 4!, having their upper ends pivotally connected to the intermediate portion of the cross member I? by suitable pivots 42. The lower ends of the brace rods 4| are pivoted to the offset portions 35 of the legs 34 by suitable pivots 43. The pivots 42, it will be noted by reference to Figure 5, are laterally spaced from the aligned axes of the pivots 36, whereby when the legs are folded into their operative positions, the braces 4| will inwardly swing the lower ends of the legs to the positions shown in Figure 5. Suitable means not shown may be provided for securing the legs in their inoperative positions when the ironing table is to be put away.

To prevent the legs of the ironing table from marring the floor, the terminals of the legs 16 may be provided with conventional rubber tips 44 as shown in Figure 1. The lower end or clip 23 of the leg 29 is shown having a rubber strap 45 wrapped around its bottom and secured thereto by a bolt 46, as clearly illustrated in Figures 11, 12 and 13. This structure constitutes an important part of the present invention in that it is extremely simple and inexpensive to construct, is easy to assemble, and when the rubber element 45 becomes worn, it may readily be replaced by the simple removal of the bolt 46. Suitable flanged washers 41 are seated against the rubber element as best shown in Figure 13, thereby to provide supports for the head and nut 48 of the bolt, when drawing the parts together by manipulation of the nut.

By referring to the drawings, it will be noted that the supporting structure for the ironing table top is extremely light in weight, and because of its unique construction, it provides a very rugged and substantial support for the table top. To further reduce the weight of the apparatus, as a whole, the entire ironing table top including the blank 3 and annular frame member 4, and all cross braces, may be formed of aluminum, as this metal has now reached a stage of development whereby it will provide ample stiffness and strength for an apparatus of this general type.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that we have accomplished at least the principal objects of our invention, and it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments herein described may be variously changed and modified without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described; hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodiments are illustrative only, and that our invention is not limited thereto.

We claim as our invention:

1. An ironing table top comprising a flat sheet metal panel, an annular one-piece supporting frame for said panel, said frame being formed from sheet metal to provid an elongated member comprising a vertically disposed web and upper and lower horizontally disposed legs, said upper leg comprising dual wall members spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the marginal edges of said panel to provide an inwardly facing groove adapted to frictionally receive the marginal edges of the panel, said elongated frame member being bent upon itself and completely encircling said panel with the marginal edges of the panel being received in the inwardly facing groove in the upper leg of said elongated member, the free ends of said elongated member abuttingly engaging one another and being permanently secured to said panel, and whereby the encircling supporting frame formed from said elongated member will have but a single joint therein.

2. An ironing table top according to claim 1, wherein the lower leg of said annular supporting frame comprises dual w-all members formed by folding the metal upon itself and pressing said wall members into fiatwise relation to one another.

Beferences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,856,323 Feaster May 3, 1932 1,875,864 Gibian Sept. 6, 1932 2,111,448 Hoffman Mar. 15, 1938 2,235,882 John Mar. 25, 1941 2,291,614 Fay Aug. 4, 1942 2,293,394 Johannsen Aug. 18, 1942 2,484,768 Van Pelt Oct. 11, 1949 2,498,176 Nelson et al Feb. 21, 1950 

